Friends & Relatives Trivia

1. Benito Mussolini was the fascist dictator of Italy for 21 years. His son Romano also had a long career, spending 50 years as what?

From Quiz You Should Meet My Dad

Answer: Jazz Pianist

The elder Mussolini is remembered for founding the National Fascist Party in Italy, and inspiring leaders such as Adolf Hitler in Germany and Francisco Franco in Spain. Under his dictatorship, Italy, with its "Blackshirts" occupied Ethiopia as the start of Mussolini's dream of returning the country to the global domination it had displayed during the reign of the Romans. His son Romano showed no interest in politics and after studying music as a child, became a proficient jazz pianist. He released his first album in 1956 and by the 1960s had formed the Romano Mussolini All Stars, who released the award winning album "Jazz Allo Studio" in 1962. Romano released many albums over his career, right up until his death In 2006, and played with jazz greats such as Tony Scott, Chet Baker and Dizzy Gillespie.He was married to Maria Scicolone, the younger sister of actress Sophia Loren and his eldest daughter Alessandra founded the Italian neofascist party, "Alternativa Sociale" in 2003.

From Quiz Keeping Up With The Booths

Answer: Junius Brutus Booth

When Booth ran off to America, he left his wife and young son behind. He, like his sons, was a very successful and very famous actor.

From Quiz Twins!

Answer: Kelly

Mark and Scott Kelly were born in New Jersey in 1964 and both served as captains in the U.S. Navy before becoming NASA astronauts. Scott Kelly first flew into space as the pilot of Space Shuttle Discovery in 1999. He went on to serve on further shuttle missions as well as longer-term missions to the International Space Station, which he also commanded on several occasions. His twin, Mark, first piloted the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2001 and commanded further space shuttle missions between 2004 and 2011. Mark Kelly married Gabrielle Giffords, a Congresswoman for Arizona, in 2007. The couple gained widespread public prominence when she was the subject of an attempted assassination in 2011 that left her with serious brain injuries. The incorrect options are the surnames of other famous astronauts - Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins were part of the Apollo 11 mission and Jim Lovell was the commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission.

From Quiz Seeing Double? Seeing Double?

Answer: The Cansecos

Ozzie and Jose Canseco certainly didn't have matching baseball careers. Jose was Rookie of the Year and played seventeen years, and Ozzie only played 24 MLB games. They were teammates briefly for the Oakland A's in 1990. Jose though is more infamously remembered for a series of books talking about his use of steroids and also naming names of others who did the same. Many didn't take the book at face value but after members of Congress started investigating the Major Leagues, some names started matching up with Jose Canseco's writings.

From Quiz The Right Brothers

Answer: Wilbur and Orville

Their first patent was for a system to control a "flying-machine." The Wrights used a system known as wing warping, which used internal pulleys and cables to change the shape of the wing by twisting. Ailerons (hinged wing sections) quickly replaced wing warping, as they allowed for a more rigid wing, which provided more control and less failures. However, the Wright brothers patent was so broad that any control system, including ailerons, were covered.

From Quiz Love Me Tender

Answer: Wallis Simpson

Edward who was then Prince of Wales met Wallis Simpson in 1931. Their relationship affected all the prominent institutions of Britain. Shortly, after his father died and he was crowned king he proposed to the love of his life. A scandal erupted and he abdicated the throne rather than give up the woman he loved. Since she was never accepted they opted to live abroad for the rest of their lives.

From Quiz Sister Acts

Answer: Joan Fontaine

Both sisters were born in Tokyo, with the family name of de Haviland. They moved to California with their mother after their parents divorced. Olivia was the first to become an actress. When Joan started acting, she invented a different last name, picking Burfield before selecting Fontaine. The two always had a troubled relationship, which was not helped with both were nominated for the Best Actress Oscar in 1942. Joan won for "Suspicion," and publicly snubbed Olivia's attempt to congratulate her at the ceremony. Joan once said of the sibling rivalry, "I married first, won the Oscar before Olivia did, and if I die first, she'll undoubtedly be livid because I beat her to it!"

From Quiz "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?"- Famous Siblings

Answer: Frank

Frank and Jesse James joined up with another band of brothers, the Fords. Cole Younger and his men rode along with them, and together they were a mighty force to deal with, as they rode roughshod, plundering the Old West. They robbed banks, trains, saloons, gambling establishments, and just about anything else that wasn't nailed down. And they killed them a few fellers too. Jesse married his first cousin, Zerelds "Zee" Mimms, April 24, 1874. His marriage and life both came to an end when, on April 3, 1882, his "friend", Bob Ford killed him with a couple of shots to the back of his head. He was just 34 years old. Frank fared better, living to the age of 72, before passing from natural causes at his Missouri farm on February 18, 1915.

From Quiz Legendary Mothers

Answer: Rose Kennedy

Rose Kennedy was the daughter of the Mayor of Boston, the wife of the Ambassador to England, and the mother of President John F Kennedy and Senators Robert and Ted Kennedy. She lived to be 104 years old, outliving four of her nine children.

From Quiz Top of the Pops

Answer: William Howard Taft

The 27th US President, William Howard Taft, who held office from 1909 until 1913, may best be remembered as the most obese person ever to hold office. Although only 5" 11' tall, he weighed in at around 340 pounds (24 stone). Whether the often-repeated story about him getting stuck in the White House bath is true, though, is anyone's guess. What is certain is that William Howard was descended from Robert Taft Sr, who was born in England in 1640 and arrived in the US in 1680 and is acknowledged as the patriarch of the Taft family dynasty. Prior to William Howard, the family had produced two state Governors (of Ohio and of Rhode Island), two U.S. Senators, two U.S. Representatives, an Attorney General, a Secretary of War and a U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. William Howard added President and U.S. Chief Justice to that list (the only President to also hold that post too). Alphonso Taft, William Howard's father, served briefly as Secretary of War in 1876 before becoming US Attorney General for the remainder of Ulysses Grant's presidency.

From Quiz Famous Progeny (Mainly American)

Answer: Cameron

Michael Douglas is, of course, the famous son of actor Kirk Douglas. However, Michael's son, Cameron, has not had quite as good a track record. Cameron was imprisoned on drug charges and was then sentenced to an additional 54 months for possessing drugs while imprisoned. The incorrect answers include Cameron's grandfather (Kirk) and Dylan and Carys, his much younger siblings from his father's marriage to Catherine Zeta-Jones.

From Quiz There Goes the Bride

Answer: Mamah Borthwick Cheney

While Wright and Mamah were in Europe her husband agreed to a divorce but Wright's wife still refused. Wright and Mamah returned to the United States and he built them a new home, Taliesin. In 1914, a hired hand, Julian Carlton, set fire to Taliesin and axed to death seven people including Mamah and her two children.

From Quiz Why Can't We Be Friends?

Answer: Weird Al Yankovic and Coolio

Weird Al Yankovic got on Coolio's bad side when he recorded "Amish Paradise" based on faulty information given to him by members of his staff and his record company. A funny twist to the story came up when it was pointed out that Coolio's song was actually a reworked version of a Stevie Wonder song called "Pastime Paradise."

From Quiz Famous Siblings!

Answer: Chico

Leonard "Chico" Marx was the first of the performing Marx Brothers to be born, on March 22 1887 (A sixth brother, Mannie, was born in 1886, but died before any of the others were born). He began his showbiz career as a pianist, and would often double book himself to bring in extra money for the family, as at an early age Harpo and Chico looked so similar that they were often mistaken for one another!

From Quiz Famous Break-ups

Answer: Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston

The two met in 1998, the result of a blind date set up by their agents. They were married in a private ceremony costing US$1 million in Malibu, California. On October 2, 2005, Hollywood's golden couple was divorced.

From Quiz Famous I Dos

Answer: Prince Charles and Princess Diana

Diana claimed that Camilla Parker-Bowles's affair with her husband had played a significant role in the demise of their marriage. Diana also admitted that she conducted an affair with her riding instructor, James Hewitt.

From Quiz Who's Your Mama?

Answer: Mary Jones

Mary Harris Jones, aka Mother Jones, was born in Cork, Ireland, grew up in Ontario and then moved to the United States. In 1867, her husband and 4 children died in a yellow fever epidemic. She moved to Chicago where she lost all of her belongings in 1871 during a little fire that occurred there. After this, she became quite active in the labor movement, once being labeled by the U.S. Senate as "the grandmother of all agitators". She organized the International Workers of the World (IWW) in 1905. She fought to abolish child labor. While working with coal miners, she became known as the "miners' angel". Ms. Jones called them "her boys". The miners called her "Mother Jones". Mother Jones magazine is still being published today advertised as "... your home for investigative news, politics, commentary, analysis and hellraising". Catherine Zeta Jones is an actor, appearing in such films as "The Mask of Zorro" (1998) and "Chicago" (2002). Star Jones appeared on the talk show, "The View" from 2000-2006. Jennifer Jones, also an actor, appeared in such films as "The Song of Bernadette" (1943) and "Duel in the Sun" (1946).

From Quiz Take My Mother-in-Law (Please)

Answer: Surprised

Humphrey was a senator from Minnesota and Vice-President of the US under Lyndon Johnson from 1965-69.

From Quiz So Many Kissing Cousins!

Answer: Charles Darwin

According to his autobiography, Charles Darwin spent much time considering whether or not he should marry at all, but he finally decided to wed his cousin Emma Wedgwood. The couple had ten children, but two died in infancy. Darwin was said to be a devoted father, though whenever his children fell ill he feared that they were suffering from some consequence of 'inbreeding' because of the close biological link between him and his wife. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck was an early proponent of evolutionary theories. He lived from 1744-1829. Erasmus Darwin was the grandfather of Charles Darwin, and was accomplished in many intellectual fields. His book 'Zoonomia' actually contained some early ideas relating to evolutionary theory. Charles Schultz has no real connection to Charles Darwin, though Darwin did sail on a ship called 'The Beagle' and Schultz's character Snoopy was a beagle.

From Quiz Family Ties 1

Answer: George Washington

Mary Anna Custis Lee was the great-granddaughter of Martha Washington. George Washington adopted her father, George Washington Custis, after the death of his father. Mrs. Custis Lee inherited her family home in Arlington, Virginia which is now known as the Custis-Lee Mansion. It is the site of Arlington National Cemetery, a national cemetery for prominent military and political figures and veterans including John F. Kennedy, Robert Todd Lincoln and boxer Joe Louis.

From Quiz My Sainted Aunt!

Answer: Em

Clara Blandick created the role of Aunty Em in the immortal film "The Wizard of Oz", based on Frank L. Baum's childhood classic. While several of the actors played dual roles (Ray Bolger played Huck/Scarecrow, Bert Lahr portrayed Zeke/Cowardly Lion, Jack Haley doubled as Hickory/Tin Man, Margaret Hamilton did triple time as Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch of the East/Wicked Witch of the West and Frank Morgan beat them all by playing five characters - Professor Marvel, the doorman of Emerald City, the cabbie, the Wizard's guard and the Wizard himself), Miss Blandick and Charley Grapewin played only Aunty Em and Uncle Henry, so we only see them in the black and white Kansas part of the film. Of course, I don't have to tell you that Judy Garland played Dorothy.

From Quiz Are They Related?

Answer: Adlai E. Stevenson II

Adlai Stevenson was vice-president of the United Staes from 1893-1897. His grandson Adlai Stevenson II was the Democratic nominee for president in 1952 and 1956.

From Quiz Famous Children

Answer: Lewis Carroll

Yes, she was the "inspiration" for "Alice in Wonderland". Dodgson seemed to be attracted to young, innocent girls.

From Quiz Famous Brothers

Answer: Schumacher

Michael and Ralf Schumacher are German. Michael has won more Formula 1 races than any other driver, Ralf has also collected a few victories. Michael drives for Ferrari, Ralf for Williams.

From Quiz Famous (And Troubled ) Namesakes

Answer: Crime victim

Sinatra Jr. was the victim of a kidnapping - one of the risks of the children of the rich and famous. Fortunately, he survived the incident and went on to have a (modest) entertainment career.

From Quiz Take Your Partner ...

Answer: Harlequin

Commedia dell'arte, an Italian comedy, began in the Renaissance. A band of travelling actors, archetypal clowns performed plays. Columbine was the daughter of Pantaloon and chose Harlequin over Pierrot.

From Quiz Famous Love Stories

Answer: Mrs. Simpson

After changing her name back to Wallis Warfield, the former Mrs. Simpson wed Edward on June 3, 1937. She wasn't officially welcomed into the Royal Family until the 1960's, however.

From Quiz More Famous Family Members

Answer: 'Agnes Grey'

'Time' is by Thomas Wolfe. 'Mountain' is by Thomas Mann. 'Demian' is by Hermann Hesse.

From Quiz Happily Ever After?

Answer: Catherine Parr

The last wife seems to have had some degree of compatibility - at least she didn't sufffer the cruel fate of many of her predecessors.

From Quiz Famous Relatives

Answer: Eugene O'Neill

His father, James O'Neill, was a huge success on stage as 'The Count of Monte Cristo'. Daughter Oona married Chaplin - a much older man.

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Last Updated Apr 13 2024 5:45 AM

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